Chiefs offensive tackle Branden Albert has signed his one-year franchise tender, but that doesn’t mean he’s rarin’ to go play in Kansas City this year for his guaranteed salary of $9.828 million.
Albert was the only player on the roster who skipped the first day of voluntary workouts on Monday, and on Tuesday Albert said he won’t be with the Chiefs any time soon. That’s because, Albert says, he doesn’t want to bother working out with the Chiefs if the Chiefs plan to trade him.
“Until I know my situation with certainty, I’m going to stay away,” Albert said on NFL AM.
Albert said he would rather get a long-term commitment from the Chiefs in the form of a multi-year contract, and he doesn’t like the uncertainty that goes along with having a one-year deal and knowing the Chiefs might trade him. He also doesn’t like the idea that the Chiefs might draft a left tackle and tell Albert to play right tackle.
“If I’m going to be there, if I’m going to be traded, if I’m going to be there long term, everything right now is uncertain,” Albert said.
Ultimately, Albert is under contract, and the Chiefs can fine him if he skips any mandatory offseason work. Albert says he hasn’t thought about what he’ll do when that time comes. But during voluntary workouts, Albert won’t be in Kansas City.
